Business presentations tips for executives, sales presenters, managers, technical experts and professionals from the "Speech Coach for Executives" George Torok. Transform your business presentations into effective conversations. George Torok is a Toronto based presentation coach and presentation skills trainer.

Pages

Monday, November 05, 2012

The Entire Audience Walked Out on Me

What could be worse than losing your entire audience? Imagine
no one showing up for your presentation. I experienced the one and almost the
other.

While promoting my first book, Secrets of Power Marketing, I arranged short presentations along
with a book signing at book stores. They were never a good place in which to
present because they were not set up for presentations. Usually the audiences
numbered between six and 10.

On one memorable book store visit there was only one person
waiting for my presentation. That was ego deflating. I checked the signs and my
calendar. We both had the date and time correct so at the scheduled time I
started my 20 minute presentation. I was hoping that more spectators would
arrive or that my standing and speaking might attract some curious book
browsers. Five minutes into the presentation the woman’s cell phone rang. She
dug it out and asked me to hold. Naturally I stopped speaking because my entire
audience stopped listening.

After a short call she put the phone away, looked at me and
announced, “That was my son. I need to pick him up. Bye.”

My entire audience walked out on me. Ha! I can laugh now but
I didn’t at the time.

I forced another smile, bade goodbye, packed up my things, signed the books from the shelf, then left.

Since then I don’t mind if people leave part way through my
presentation – as long as some remain.

When you present there are few things you can control and
some things you can influence. And there is everything else that is beyond your
power. Focus on what you can do and accept the randomness of reality.

After 20 years in corporate management he launched his own company specializing in marketing and presentation skills.

You can arrange for training, speaking and coaching by calling 905-335-1997.

Presentations Skills Training & Coaching

George Torok helps business leaders deliver million-dollar presentations. Are you a business leader who wants one-on-one presentations skills coaching to help you transform your presentations into million-dollar presentations? Do you want your staff to get presentation skills training so they can communicate more effectively and close million-dollar deals?

About Me

After 20 years in corporate management he launched his own company specializing in marketing and presentation skills.

You can arrange for training, speaking and coaching by calling 905-335-1997.

Presentations Skills Training & Coaching

George Torok helps business leaders deliver million-dollar presentations. Are you a business leader who wants one-on-one presentations skills coaching to help you transform your presentations into million-dollar presentations? Do you want your staff to get presentation skills training so they can communicate more effectively and close million-dollar deals?